St. Philomena

About St. Philomena Parish

St. Philomena is a Roman Catholic parish in the Salt Lake neighborhood of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. It belongs to the Diocese of Honolulu and is one of the parishes in the Vicariate of West Honolulu. The parish serves a multicultural community and offers Masses in English, Korean, and Chuukese, alongside a full schedule of sacraments, devotions, faith formation, and outreach ministries.

History of the Parish

St. Philomena began as a mission of St. Elizabeth Parish in Aiea, run by the Sacred Hearts Fathers, to serve Catholics in Damon Tract — a residential area that has since given way to the industrial zone around Honolulu International Airport. In 1942, Bishop James J. Sweeney of the newly established Diocese of Honolulu elevated it to an independent parish and appointed Maryknoll Father Edward Halloran as its first pastor. The parish was first located at 455 Airport Road, and its very first baptism — Frances Maria Burns, daughter of Territory taxation chief Edward Burns — was recorded on November 7, 1942. In 1950, part of its territory was split off to create Holy Family Parish.

• Founded 1942 as a new parish under Bishop James J. Sweeney
• First pastor: Maryknoll Father Edward Halloran
• Parted off territory in 1950 to form Holy Family Parish
• Forced to move in 1957 by Honolulu Airport construction; the church was cut into three pieces and moved to R Road and Nimitz Highway
• Moved again in 1962 to 3300 Salt Lake Boulevard (its third home)
• Acquired 3300 Ala Laulani Street property around 1972; current church blessed by Bishop John J. Scanlan on December 22, 1973
• Old (third) church destroyed by arson on July 10, 1973
• Celebrated its 80th anniversary on August 15, 2022

Clergy and Staff

The current parish team is led by Rev. Dong Minh (Paul) Li as pastor, with a parochial vicar in residence, an active deacon, and a full complement of lay staff and ministry coordinators.

• Rev. Dong Minh (Paul) Li — Pastor
• Rev. Mario Palanca — In Residence
• Deacon Kin Shing Cheng — Active Ministry
• Elisa Higa — Secretary
• Leila Foronda-Ebia — Office Assistant
• Jenny Pavao — Religious Education
• Naomi Ferreira — RCIA
• Kenny Quibilan — Youth Ministry
• Roger Sibayan — Youth Ministry
• Clyde Sabas — Music Ministry

Faith Formation: Religious Education (PREP)

The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) is the parish school of religious education for children from Pre-K through 8th grade. Classes run from August through May and meet on Sundays, while parents are expected to take an active role in their children's faith formation. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist takes place over a two-year process for children in first grade and above (age 7 or older).

• PREP classes for Pre-K through 8th grade (August-May)
• Two-year First Reconciliation / First Eucharist preparation for 1st grade+
• Confirmation preparation for middle and high school students — Monday evenings 6:30 PM in the Parish Hall
• Order of Christian Initiation of Children (OCIC) for unbaptized children older than six
• Parents expected to participate actively in sacramental preparation

OCIA (RCIA) and Adult Faith Formation

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the parish's formal process for non-baptized adults who are interested in becoming members of the Catholic Church. Adults who wish to join the Church are asked to contact the parish office for more information. Coordinated by RCIA coordinator Naomi Ferreira, the program is a key welcoming ministry for newcomers.

• OCIA / RCIA for non-baptized adults
• Coordinated by Naomi Ferreira
• Contact the Parish Office to begin the process

Youth Ministry

St. Philomena's Youth Ministry is open to all high school students and meets Monday evenings. Led by Kenny Quibilan and Roger Sibayan, it provides a faith-based gathering for teens alongside the parish's Confirmation preparation.

• Open to all high school students
• Meets Monday evenings at 6:30 PM
• Coordinated by Kenny Quibilan and Roger Sibayan

Music Ministry

The Music Ministry supports the parish liturgies across the English, Korean, and Chuukese Masses, fostering congregational singing and choral music in worship.

• Music Minister: Clyde Sabas

Outreach: Parish Food Pantry

St. Philomena runs a food pantry that distributes food to needy families and individuals in the Salt Lake / Aliamanu area on a regular basis. It is one of the parish's most active direct-service ministries, putting Catholic social teaching into practice locally.

• Distributes food to needy families and individuals in the Salt Lake / Aliamanu area
• Open the 3rd Wednesday of each month
• Hours: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Bible Study

Parishioners gather weekly for Bible Study in the Parish Hall, an adult-faith formation opportunity that complements the sacramental and devotional life of the parish.

• Meets every Monday evening
• Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
• Location: Parish Hall

St. Philomena Early Learning Center

Operated by the parish, the Early Learning Center is a Catholic Montessori preschool that welcomes children from 15 months to 5 years old. According to its mission statement, the school 'instills Christian values and applies Montessori Philosophy to meet the demands of a culturally diverse society through quality education for life-long learning.' The school partners with parents to develop the whole child academically, physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually.

• Ages: 15 months to 5 years old
• Currently enrolling
• Phone: (808) 833-8080
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: stphilomenaearlylearningcenter.com
• Catholic mission combined with Montessori method
• Multi-age classrooms modeled on a family structure
• Emphasis on self-directed learning, self-correction, and respect

Sacraments

St. Philomena offers the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Infant baptism is scheduled generally every other month and requires both parents to attend preparation classes and liturgies. Older unbaptized children enter through OCIC. First Reconciliation and First Communion are prepared over two years. Confirmation is a multi-year process for middle and high school youth. The Anointing of the Sick is celebrated each last Wednesday at the Healing Mass, with individual anointing available by contacting the Rectory. Marriage preparation is arranged through the parish office.

• Baptism (Infant) — every other month
• Baptism (children 7+) — through OCIC
• Reconciliation / Confession — Saturdays and by appointment
• Eucharist / First Communion — two-year prep, Sunday classes
• Confirmation — Monday evening classes for middle/high school
• Anointing of the Sick — Healing Mass on last Wednesday at 6:00 PM
• OCIA (RCIA) — for non-baptized adults
• Marriage — by contacting the parish office

Visiting and Getting Involved

Newcomers are welcome at St. Philomena and are encouraged to register with the parish so they can participate fully in its ministries, Masses, and community life. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (closed 12:30-1:00 PM), and the staff can help connect visitors with the many ministries — from the food pantry to Bible study to youth ministry to the Early Learning Center.

• Address: 3300 Ala Laulani Street, Honolulu, HI 96818
• Office Phone: 808-839-1876
• Alt Phone: 808-834-6888
• Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (closed 12:30-1:00 PM)
• Encouraged to register as new parishioners
• Contact the parish office to sign up for a ministry